Recent Trends in the Utilization of Dental Care in the United States

Wall, Thomas P.; Vujicic, Marko; Nasseh, Kamyar

doi:10.1002/j.0022-0337.2012.76.8.tb05354.x

Cited by 100 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Despite this increased need for oral health services, the proportion of US older adults with an annual dental visit has declined in recent years, from 74.4% in 1997 to 69.6% in 2015 . This is in contrast to dental utilization trends among children and adolescents, which have increased from 71.8% to 77.0% during this time . These diverging trends are reflective of the fact that older adults face unique barriers to accessing oral health care than other age groups .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Predictors of having a dentist among older adults in Iowa

Marchini

Reynolds

Caplan

et al. 2020

Comm Dent Oral Epid

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Objectives:Oral health plays an important role in the general well-being of older adults, yet older adults experience unique barriers to dental care. In the United States, almost two-thirds of older adults are dentally uninsured -a reflection of the exclusion of dental benefits from Medicare. The aim of this study was to investigate potential predictors of having a dentist among older adults receiving services funded through the Iowa Department on Aging (IDA).Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis on a convenience sample (n = 2692) of adults age 65+ who completed a required survey to determine eligibility to receive services from the IDA. Data from questionnaires completed between March and December 2017 were used to generate multivariable logistic regression models that identified predictors of having a dentist. The dependent variable, having a dentist, was gathered by self-report in the survey. Explanatory variables eligible for inclusion in the models included demographic and geographic factors, indicators of access to dental care, and factors related to activities of daily living. Results:Fewer than half (46.2%) of the respondents reported having a dentist. In the final regression model, individuals with dental insurance were more than twice as likely to have a dentist than those without insurance. Conversely, individuals with a tooth/mouth problem and who need help with housekeeping and with transportation were significantly less likely to have a dentist than their counterparts. Conclusions:These results align with known insurance-related barriers and identify certain activities of daily living that might influence older adults' ability to access care. The finding that individuals with oral health problems were less likely to have a dentist underscores the need to reduce barriers to care for this population. K E Y W O R D Saccess, dental services research, geriatrics

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Predictors of having a dentist among older adults in Iowa

Marchini

Reynolds

Caplan

et al. 2020

Comm Dent Oral Epid

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Studies in dentistry frequently have used aspects of the Andersen model to explain factors influencing use of oral health services. While rates vary even within industrialized countries, revealing disparities in utilization, fully one‐third of the population in the USA does not utilize professional dental care annually (eg 2003—33.6%; 2008—34.1%) . The weight and relative importance of factors affecting utilization have long been an area of focus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of dental care utilization in north‐central Appalachia in the USA

Chen

Wright

Tokede

et al. 2019

Comm Dent Oral Epid

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Objectives: Dental utilization is an important determinant of oral health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential associations between a variety of biopsychosocial factors and dental utilization in north-central Appalachia, USA, a region where oral health disparities are profound. Methods: This study used household-based data from the Center for Oral HealthResearch in Appalachia (COHRA1) study in north-central Appalachia, including 449 families with 868 adults. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach was used to determine the best-fitting predictor model for dental utilization among adult family members. Results:On average across West Virginia and Pennsylvania, having dental insurance was associated with greater dental utilization over a 3-year time period (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.54, 3.14). When stratified by state, the association held for only West Virginia (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.54, 3.79) and was nonsignificant for Pennsylvania residents (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 0.80, 2.79). Individuals from Pennsylvania were more likely to utilize dental care and participants from West Virginia less so (2.31, 95% CI = 1.57, 3.40). Females from Pennsylvania were more likely than males to regularly

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“…Utilization trends mirror coverage trends from 2000 to 2010. Wall, Vujicic, and Nasseh () show a divergence by age group in terms of percentage of the population that has had a dental visit in the past year. Children (ages 2–20) experienced a 4 percentage point increase in the likelihood of a dental visit between 2000 and 2010, while adults (ages 21–64) experienced a 5 percentage point decline.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%